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The 10 most significant quotes from Jay Monahan’s Players press conference—and what they really mean

Jared C. Tilton

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — In a performance that was alternately confident and cautious, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan spoke in front of the gathered media for the first time since last August at the Tour Championship. In the ensuing seven months, the tour’s framework agreement with the PIF has blazed past its deadline with negotiations ongoing but no deal in sight. Meanwhile, the tour has partnered with the Strategic Sports Group to form PGA Tour Enterprises (of which Monahan is the new CEO), and LIV Golf continues as a rival, one that poached notable players present (Jon Rahm) and past (Anthony Kim) from the PGA Tour ranks.

Over the course of an hour, Monahan fielded a variety of questions in generally good spirits, albeit with the occasional tense exchange. With many questions regarding discussions with the PIF, he reverted to a statement he made early on: "you can't negotiate a deal like this in public." In other words, no comment.

Still, there was information to be mined to a careful listener. What follows are the 10 most eye-opening statements Monahan made in his hour on the podium.

"I recently met with the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and our negotiations are accelerating as we spend time together. While we have several key issues that we still need to work through, we have a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf's worldwide potential."

The significance: Quite simply, Monahan sounded more optimistic than anyone might have guessed about the prospects of an eventual deal with PIF. This quote above was offered in his opening statement, not under questioning from the media, which can be viewed as him having time to prepare the exact wording. The fact that he used the terms "accelerating" and "shared vision" seems hopeful for reconciliation. In the absence of any other information, that's the most we can go on.

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"I do believe that negotiating a deal with PIF is the best outcome … I think an ultimate deal would be in the best interest of the game and ultimately would be in the best interest of the tour ."

The significance: Here again, in an otherwise cautious presser, Monahan telegraphs that he seems to want a deal, rather than a continuation of the painful status quo. He offered plenty of caveats—"obviously it has to be the right deal for both sides," and "if it can be done"—but to admit that he wants that resolution might be a slight tipping of his hand.

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"They [the fans] also want to know how we're planning to make the sport more entertaining and easier for them to watch and follow. Our fans are also telling us what an even more compelling product could look like. On our broadcast platforms it's more golf shots featuring more players, more data and analytics and more insight through innovations like mic'd up segments."

The significance: It can be difficult to know to what extent leaders such as Monahan are concerning themselves with the kind of discussion we see on social media every week about the tournament broadcasts—specifically too many commercials, not enough shots. The fact that he brought this up in his introduction shows that either improving the televised product is a true priority, or he is aware enough of the criticism that he wants it to be perceived as a true priority. Either outcome feels positive for fans, though obviously the former is preferable to the latter.

"I think that in any negotiation, both sides have to work together to reach that successful outcome. And if we can't, I'll continue my focus on all the areas I just outlined, and we'll continue to compete and be as strong a tour as we can possibly be, with a great new investor in SSG, with a lot of opportunity for that growth."

The significance: Monahan was reluctant to answer hypothetical questions about what the future would look like if a deal with PIF/LIV Golf isn't reached, but here he gave the clearest of a few unclear answers. It's not as revelatory as it could be, but it does show that he's thought about what it would entail (of course), and that it's not an overt disaster if no truce can be bridged.

"If we don't negotiate a deal, then I think ultimately we're back in the same posture that we're in, and we haven't unified our game and taken advantage of this unique point in time."

The significance: This response came after he lightly chided a reporter by saying, "it's the same question asked a different way, right?" However, this felt like a slightly different answer, or at least an answer with a noteworthy addition, which is that he would see it as a missed opportunity to have missed the moment for reunification. Compared to quotes we've seen in recent months, like Jordan Spieth implying that they didn't really need a deal with LIV , makes the whole prospect of finishing the job set out by the framework agreement far more urgent to Monahan.

"I did not have direct conversations with Anthony [Kim]. Members of our team did, and they very clearly laid out what it would take for him to earn his way back to the PGA Tour. I'm glad that Anthony is healthy and well, and we wish him well … I would have liked to see him compete to make his way back to the tour. But that's a decision he didn't, you know … obviously he made a different decision."

The significance: Pretty obvious here—Monahan is essentially saying that they weren't going to give Kim a free pass to appear in tour events, and while they would have liked him to follow a certain path to regain Tour status (and would have perhaps aided the path with certain exemptions), they were never going to be able to compete with whatever guaranteed money and starts LIV was offering. Nor did he want to spend much time on Kim—he cut off a follow-up question quickly.

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“ I do think there's some truth to that, and I do believe that. I think that in order to understand that, you've got to take a long-term perspective, and we're in a short-term world … that's certainly one of the things that I focus on and I will continue to focus on."

The significance: This came in response to a question asked by Golf Digest about whether the tour's ability to create new stars, and to grow the profile of current players, insulates or even protects the tour from player defections to LIV. In other words, if it's really not as big a deal as it seems when someone like Rahm is poached. Monahan endorsed the idea, at least partially, and added that tournament legacy and tradition, along with the uniqueness of a new weekly champion, are unique qualities to the tour that don't depend on a single person. And as the quote indicates, he responded in the affirmative to the idea that a part of his job is to convince other parties of the limited long-term impact of the defections.

"I just answered your question about what my focus is."

The significance: This was the tensest moment of the presser, and it came after a reporter asked if Monahan was concerned about players continuing to be poached by LIV even as negotiations with the PIF proceed. He answered that question by saying that he was focused on aspects of the tour he could control, but when the follow up came, he seemed irritated as he gave the quote above. Whether this means that it's an ongoing concern or just that he was sick of fielding the questions is not clear, but it was definitely a sore point in an otherwise polite back-and-forth. The reporter then tried to follow up again, but the moderator turned to another question.

"There are a lot of things that we're talking about, team golf being one of them, but it's just … I'm not at liberty to talk about the specifics. I just don't think that's helpful for what we're trying to accomplish together. But I do appreciate the question."

The significance: Hmmmm, team golf after a deal with PIF? Maybe? But does anyone actually want that? Regardless, you can infer here that it's definitely on the table to some degree.

"I think you all know Tiger well enough to know that he wants to earn his way into all of … into every competition. That's his makeup. But I think as you go forward and as you evolve as an organization and you think about how do you serve and satisfy a rabid fan base, those discussions more broadly would likely be held at the Policy Board meeting, and I'm sure we would have that discussion. But he would be the hardest one to convince."

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The significance: If it wasn't already obvious, Monahan seems to be telegraphing here that if Tiger Woods wanted to play in a tournament like the Players Championship, they would find a way. The obstacle isn't the Tour; it's Tiger himself, who believes in the tour's meritocracy and doesn't seem to want a free pass.

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Jay Monahan Short on Specifics But Says PGA Tour in ‘Driver’s Seat’ on Agreement With LIV Golf’s Backer

• Author: Bob Harig

Jay Monahan remains confident that the PGA Tour will reach an agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the DP World Tour by the end of the year, saying the Tour is in the “ driver ’s seat” and “in a position to control our future.”

At an hourlong news conference Tuesday in advance of this week’s season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake, the commissioner portrayed a positive outlook in light of what has been a trying year for him both professionally and personally.

Monahan, 53, has endured considerable criticism since the announcement of the "framework agreement" with the DP World Tour and the PIF on June 6 due to the confidential nature of the negotiations and most of the Tour membership learning of it at the last minute.

A week later, Monahan took a health leave from the Tour that he attributed to anxiety and returned to work July 17 .

“When you go back to our framework agreement, we have put an end to the divisive and distracting litigation, we have safeguards that are in place to put the PGA Tour in a position to control our future,” Monahan said. “And as I sit here today, I am confident that we will reach an agreement that achieves a positive outcome for the PGA Tour and our fans. I see it and I’m certain of it.”

How it looks, however, remains a mystery. Monahan would not get into any specifics about negotiations, which he said are ongoing. He would not speculate on what it means for the LIV Golf League, which is pushing forward with plans for 2024 and beyond. And when asked specifically about the end-of-year deadline, he would only say he is “confident we are going to reach a positive outcome for the PGA Tour.”

The way the “framework agreement” was laid out, the PGA Tour as it exists today would remain intact. PGA Tour Inc. is the nonprofit entity that governs the yearlong schedule that concludes this week with the Tour Championship and determining a FedEx Cup champion.

As part of the agreement, a new company would be formed called PGA Tour Enterprises. PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan—who would get a seat on the PGA Tour Policy Board alongside Tiger Woods —would be the chairman of the for-profit LLC, with Monahan as CEO.

The agreement called for the sides to do an evaluation of their various assets, including LIV Golf. How it would look is the subject of considerable speculation. The DP World Tour would figure in some way. LIV Golf could also, but likely as a reduced entity from the 14-tournament schedule it plays now.

The reason for the latter is if the two sides are to cooperate, in theory you’d need players from the PGA Tour and from LIV Golf supporting each side. Without that, it is possible LIV Golf could exist as it is going forward, although Monahan said initially he did not envision that.

Asked what he would say to those who take the cynical look that the framework agreement was done in order to drop litigation between the two sides, Monahan said:

“I would say that we operate in good faith and I see that on both sides. And that framework agreement, which is an agreement to reach an agreement, put us in a position to reach an agreement. Those safeguards that are in place and our commitment to moving from the divisive nature of the relationship we had to a productive one, for us to be able to make a fundamental transition to our business with the formation of NewCo [PGA Tour Enterprises], to have an investable entity for PIF to believe able to invest in that previously didn’t exist, for the PGA Tour to be in control of the future of men’s professional golf and for us to be partners, if we were going to end the litigation, we would have just announced that we were ending the litigation.”

Monahan said that Ron Price, COO of the PGA Tour, and Tyler Dennis, a vice president who attended the news conference with Monahan, are leading the talks with the PIF and the DP World Tour.

“We’re probably right where I expected we would be,” Monahan said. “Ron and I have been actively engaged weekly, multiple times a week, and aside from the aspects of the framework agreement that we’ve talked about, there’s just a lot of work streams that go into a deal like this between the PGA Tour, the PIF and the DP World Tour. So it progresses daily and it’s very positive and collaborative in nature.”

Monahan said a positive outcome for the PGA Tour involves partnering with the PIF and having it become a minority investor in PGA Tour Enterprises, the for-profit LLC, with the Tour maintaining operation control “of the PGA Tour and ultimately the men’s professional game going forward.”

He said that would allow the PGA Tour “to use the capital to be able to invest back in our product, to do things like further reduce commercial inventory in our broadcast, to further invest in our data businesses, to further invest in our media business, to potentially invest in entities and companies that we think are going to help us grow and diversify our fan base and the game.

“We’re not an organization that has the capital to invest, so to be able to be in that position and do that productively and constructively for the Tour and our players will impact the future.

“We have a responsibility to do that in addition to making this the strongest Tour it can possibly be. And I think it allows us to do both. So that to me is a successful outcome.”

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5 things pga tour commissioner jay monahan said at his state of the tour press conference, share this article.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan spoke for the first time publicly since the Tour Championship in August and confirmed that negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s PIF are advancing . But his introductory comments on the State of the Tour prior to the Players Championship and answers to questions from the media were thin on details.

Monahan repeatedly stated that it wasn’t in his best interest to negotiate publicly and often said “that he was moving forward” and “focused” on making the deal a reality.

“We’ve made and continue to make real progress in our negotiations and our discussions with the PIF. I recognize that this is frustrating for all of you, but it really is not in the best interest of the PGA Tour and our membership and for PIF for me to be talking about where we are with specific elements of our discussions,” he said. “I, again, I would just stress the fact that we’re engaged, we’re making progress, but I’m really not at liberty to share any of the details on that front.”

In short, it won’t go down as a very meaty press conference, but here are five of the more interesting topics and responses that Monahan delivered during his annual press conference:

“I recently met with the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and our negotiations are accelerating as we spend time together. While we have several key issues that we still need to work through, we have a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf’s worldwide potential.

“It’s going to take time, but I reiterate what I said at the Tour Championship in August. I see a positive outcome for the PGA Tour and the sport as a whole.”

In a follow-up, Monahan said, “I do believe that negotiating a deal with PIF is the best outcome. Obviously, it has to be the right deal for both sides, like any situation or negotiation.”

“We’ve made and continue to make real progress in our negotiations and our discussions with the PIF. I recognize that this is frustrating for all of you, but it really is not in the best interest of the PGA TOUR and our membership and for PIF for me to be talking about where we are with specific elements of our discussions.”

When asked if it was dangerous for the Tour not to make a deal, Monahan said, “If we don’t negotiate a deal, then I think ultimately we’re back in the same posture that we’re in, and we haven’t unified our game and taken advantage of this unique point in time.

“But I don’t have anything further to add about what happens in we don’t. I’m focused on trying to see if we can.”

Monahan did a good job of spelling out why the deal with Strategic Sports Group matters for the Tour — “The PGA Tour has been limited in our ability to invest back into some of those growth opportunities. We no longer are with the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises,” he said — without giving any sense for how the funds will help the product grow … but it’s going to be great for the fans.

“Historically, our structure has limited our ability to make transformative investments into the sport. With PGA Tour Enterprises, with our 13-member Board of Directors now in place, and the partnership with Strategic Sports Group, we’ve changed that dynamic and unleashed our potential for future growth. With our player equity program, which is the first in professional sports, our interests and those of our players will be more deeply aligned. Our business thrives when together we’re all laser-focused on delivering for our fans. If we fail on that front, we fail on every front.

Of the first Policy Board meeting, held three weeks ago, he shared, “The substance of that meeting focused primarily on how we can place our current and future fans at the center of our decision making,” and noted, “we are actively assessing a number of investment options that focus on those fan priorities.”

Signature events

This was an area where Monahan delivered some valuable details when asked if he’s currently satisfied with the model of the Signature events.

“I’m never satisfied with anything. But I would — it’s early days. We’re 10 (events) into this season.

“We’ve had 49 unique players outside the top 50 who have competed in signature events with help of the AON Swing 5 and AON Next 10. We are currently tracking at a 60 percent retention rate among the top 50. Using data comparing participation from the top 50 and top 125 in the FedExCup standings in 2023, or versus 2023, the strength of field at full-field events has improved by nearly 30 percent.

He went off on a long-winded tangent before segueing back to the subject and saying, “Let’s continue to have this conversation, but you’ve got great champions, as we sit here 10 weeks into it, and we’ve also had the reality — we had a little bit of an anomaly with three of our seven events being significantly impacted by weather.

“Then when you look at where we are year to date, you have six players last year at this point had won that were in the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking. This year we have two. Last year you had zero players outside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking that had won. This year we have four. The median OWGR for a winner at this point last year was 16. This year it’s at 67.

“The positive to that is new players and new stars are emerging, but the reason I say it’s early days is there have been some factors that I think have limited our ability to fully see the value of these Signature events.”

Did the board call for his resignation?

Monahan had to know this question was coming and could have answered with an easy yes or no.

At any point over the last nine months, have any of the player directors on the Policy Board called on you or any of the independent directors on that board to resign?

“You know, there’s been a lot of good-spirited debate amongst our board,” he said. “I don’t think that would be a surprise to anybody, you know, given the events of last summer. But we are a unified front. Our Policy Board continues to perform and function at a very high level with great support from our player directors, and the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises, with a new board, a new board comprised of four members of SSG, seven players, or six player directors and Joe Ogilvie, who is a liaison director, myself and Jo Gorder, who is the independent director serving on that board.

“I’m excited to work with both boards. For me, I’m honored to serve as commissioner and now be a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board, and also honored to be CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises and be a part of that board, and committed to working with each of those boards to make sure we’re moving this business forward and achieving what we can achieve to its full capacity.”

The way Monahan chose to dodge a direct question in this case makes you wonder if the true answer is yes, he was asked to resign.

Q.    As a follow-up then, do you feel you have the full backing, the full confidence of all the players that you are the right man to move this deal forward?

“You know, that’s a question that you’ll have to ask for players. I can’t generalize as it relates to players, but clearly given the responsibility I’ve been given by both boards, I have the support of our board, and I am the right person to lead us forward. I know that. I believe that in my heart, and I’m determined to do exactly that.”

This was a logical follow-up, but not sure what else Monahan could really say here than what he said.

Is team golf in the cards? A world tour?

LIV Golf has leaned into the Team Golf concept, and so it was worth asking Monahan whether he envisioned it being part of the plan going forward. He wasn’t showing his hand.

“There are a lot of things that we’re talking about, team golf being one of them, but I’m not at liberty to talk about the specifics. I just don’t think that’s helpful for what we’re trying to accomplish together. But I do appreciate the question.”

Another reporter asked Monahan if he shared Rory McIlroy’s vision of a world tour. If he does, he wasn’t saying today.

“That concept along with a number of other concepts have been discussed at the Policy Board, including Rory’s time on the Policy Board. Part of the dynamic of being commissioner of the PGA Tour is balancing the perspectives of not only our entire membership but perspectives of our board members, and it’s indisputable that this is a global sport. We have, over the years, moved to more international markets. I think the co-sanctioning that we did with the Genesis Scottish Open and the success we’ve had there, there are more opportunities on a go-forward basis. Balancing that within the realities of our business and our commercial model and thinking about that longer term is something that we will continue to do as a board. In fact, it’s something that we talked about at our most recent board meeting.”

A Tiger exemption?

This would have been the final year of Tiger’s exemption into the Players for winning the Masters in 2019 had he elected to play this week. Given his limited schedule, it’s possible he already has played his final Players.

Normally, his eligibility for the tournament would have expired this year, but Woods gets an extra year due to COVID-19. Thus, he’s eligible for the last time in 2025 without having to win a Tour event or finish in the top 125 in FedEx Cup points.

Monahan was asked if he would grant Tiger, a two-time winner of the Players and 82-time Tour champion, a special exemption.

“I think you all know Tiger well enough to know that he wants to earn his way into every competition. That’s his makeup,” Monahan said. “But I think as you go forward and as you evolve as an organization and you think about how do you serve and satisfy a rabid fan base, those discussions more broadly would likely be held at the Policy Board meeting, and I’m sure we would have that discussion. But he would be the hardest one to convince.”

Keep up with The Players Championship live coverage and leaderboard throughout the week.

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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan explains why the world's best want to compete on the Tour

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan held a news conference on Tuesday at The Players Championship Media Center, two days before the first round of the 50th Players.

Phil Mickelson talks LIV Golf, PGA Tour, fans' reception as part of U.S. Open news conference

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BROOKLINE, Mass. -- Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson drove into the players' parking lot at The Country Club, the site of this week's U.S. Open, at exactly 12:46 p.m ET Monday in a USGA-issued white Lexus SUV.

Mickelson's scheduled news conference, his first in the United States since he took a leave of absence from competitive golf in February and his first since he competed in the LIV Golf Invitational Series, was 14 minutes away. As two golf carts waited to escort him to the overcrowded tent where it would take place, Mickelson simply waited. For just over 10 minutes, he stayed seated in his car and barely moved. His manager, Peter Davis, opened a door and sat with him.

By the time Mickelson exited the vehicle, all eyes were on him. He emerged wearing all black -- the stubble and the no-hat look from last week's LIV appearance outside London remained (Mickelson said he's kept his facial hair because his wife, Amy, likes it). The blacked-out Augusta National logo that made a brief appearance last week on his vest was gone, and no other sponsors or logos were present on what he wore but his own. His 2022 U.S. Open player badge bearing his name was fastened -- a sign that he had already been on location.

Mickelson stepped into the cart being driven by Davis and greeted the police officers escorting him in the cart ahead.

"How are you guys doing? Thanks for all your help," he said sheepishly. The short drive to the interview area gave way to Mickelson stepping up to the podium, giving a statement and then asking, "Any questions?"

Mickelson, who has famously vented his frustration with the USGA and golf's other governing bodies during his career, pondered his answers and carefully chose his words while answering what next came his way.

"I have had strong opinions and ideas, let's say, regarding most of the governing bodies, and I've done a poor job of conveying that," Mickelson said. "I've made it public, and that's been a mistake. That's one of the mistakes I've been making, and try to going forward be a lot more thoughtful with my words and actions and try to keep a lot of those things behind closed doors."

Of course, sharing his opinion of the PGA Tour's "obnoxious greed" and his feelings about the financiers of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with author Alan Shipnuck is what landed Mickelson in hot water to begin with earlier this year. Mickelson and 16 others players who competed in the inaugural LIV Golf event were suspended by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Thursday.

During a news conference that lasted about 25 minutes, Mickelson, who will attempt to complete the career Grand Slam in his 31st U.S. Open start, faced myriad inquiries:

• Mickelson was asked about a letter he and other players who competed in last week's LIV Golf event received from Terry Strada, a widow with three children, whose husband was killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Strada is the national chair of the 9/11 Families United coalition.

"Given Saudi Arabia's role in the death of our loved ones and those injured on 9/11 -- your fellow Americans -- we are angered that you are so willing to help the Saudis cover up this history in their request for 'respectability,'" Strada wrote. "When you partner with the Saudis, you become complicit with their whitewash, and help give them the reputational cover they so desperately crave -- and are willing to pay handsomely to manufacture."

In the letter, Strada noted that Osama bin Laden and 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis.

Mickelson reportedly received a signing bonus of $200 million to sign up with LIV Golf.

"I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them," Mickelson said. "I can't emphasize that enough. I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them."

Mickelson was later asked if he would speak to or write to members of the coalition. He declined to answer the question directly.

"I think I speak for pretty much every American in that we feel the deepest of sympathy and the deepest of empathy for those that have lost loved ones, friends in 9/11," he said. "It affected all of us, and those that have been directly affected, I think I can't emphasize enough how much empathy I have for them."

In a statement to ESPN later Monday, Strada said Mickelson and other LIV players should be "ashamed" of what they're doing.

"They are helping the Saudi regime 'sportswash' their reputation in return for tens of millions of dollars, at the very same time our government is rolling out more damning evidence of Saudi culpability in the 9/11 attacks," she wrote. "As the PGA Tour commissioner said Sunday 'you'd have to be living under a rock' to not understand the implications of involving yourself with the Saudis."

• Mickelson said he plans to play in the remaining seven LIV tournaments this year and the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland, which is scheduled from July 14 to 17.

He was asked whether he wants to compete in PGA Tour events in the future.

"So I think it's been pretty public that I'm suspended [from the PGA Tour] along with a bunch of other players, so it would be only speculative going forward," he said. "I am going to play the LIV events. I am going to play the British Open, but anything other than that would be pure speculation. I don't know how this is all going to play out.

"My preference is to be able to choose which path I would like, one or the other or both. I feel that I gave as much back to the PGA Tour and the game of golf that I could throughout my 30 years here, and through my accomplishments on the course I've earned a lifetime membership. I intend to keep that and then choose going forward which events to play and not."

When Mickelson, 51, was asked whether he was at peace with perhaps never playing on the PGA Tour again, he added, "I am, again, very appreciative of the many memories, opportunities, experiences, friendships, relationships [the] PGA Tour has provided, and those are going to last a lifetime. But I'm hopeful that I'll have a chance to create more."

• Mickelson, one of the most popular players in the sport during his long career, was asked about how he thinks fans will react to him this week outside of Boston. The Country Club was the site of the 1999 Ryder Cup, in which American Payne Stewart had to ask fans to take it easy on Scotland's Colin Montgomerie .

Mickelson will tee off in the first round Thursday at 1:47 p.m. He is playing with Ireland's Shane Lowry and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen ; Oosthuizen also played in the LIV Golf event last week.

"I think the Boston crowds are some of the best in sports, and I think that they have given me a lot of support, and I'm very appreciative of that over the years," Mickelson said. "I think that their excitement and energy is what creates such a great atmosphere, so whether it's positive or negative toward me directly, I think it's going to provide an incredible atmosphere to hold this championship. I think it's going to be a great event, and the people here have a lot to do with that."

By the time the news conference was over and Mickelson was escorted back to his car, he didn't waste any time and peeled off the property as quickly as he had driven in. All other players who cycled through the clubhouse Monday stopped to interact with others before heading over to the driving range or the putting green. Even Dustin Johnson , who also played in the inaugural LIV event last week, took a moment to say hello to a few players.

But after having slipped into The Country Club on Sunday afternoon to work on his putting and go through the player registration process without fans or most players in attendance, Mickelson was gone in an instant.

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Max Homa defends PGA Tour changes in epic press conference rant

Max Homa said the Tour's changes would strengthen both designated and non-designated events.

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When Max Homa stepped to the lectern on Wednesday morning at the Arnold Palmer Invitational , he came armed with a promise:

“I could rant on this for a while.”

And then, for 1,400 words, 11 paragraphs and some four uninterrupted minutes, he did precisely that.

Homa came into the press room on the heels of change on the PGA Tour — significant change . Under the new structure outlined by Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a memo to players Wednesday, many of the Tour’s 17 so-called “designated events” will take on a dramatically different shape in 2024 next to their initial 2023 iterations. Some events will now have a limited field of 70-80 players, some will feature no cuts, and all will be adjusted to make for a consistent playing cadence for both players and fans.

Among the changes enacted by the new schedule are two hard realities: it will be harder at times for some players to climb the Tour ranks, and it will be easier at times for those in the upper echelon of the sport to stay there. That is mostly good news for those who wish to see golf’s biggest stars more often, but it is mostly bad news for those who adore the pesky underdog stories that form a noticeable chunk of golf’s subculture.

Enter the rare player to have lived both of those realities: Max Homa.

It was just five years ago that Homa found himself on the fringes of golf relevancy, a gifted-but-inconsistent player floating between the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours. For a time, the number of golfers ranked higher than him numbered in the thousands . Today, the number of golfers ranked higher than Max Homa can be counted on just two hands. He is the eighth-ranked player in the world, a six-time PGA Tour winner, and at age 32, unquestionably one of the Tour’s brightest stars.

So, what does Homa — one of the biggest beneficiaries of the PGA Tour’s old guard — think about the new regime? He’ll need a minute (or four) to explain it.

Max Homa said he "could rant for a while" on the new PGA Tour schedule changes. Then he spoke uninterrupted for nearly 4 minutes. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/KrjBQjLKWD — James Colgan (@jamescolgan26) March 1, 2023

“I love the new changes,” he said, beginning a lengthy, uninterrupted answer on the subject at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “The product is important. I think it’s easy to frame these changes as a way to put more money in the top players’ pockets. But it has been made to make it easier and more fun for the fans. I know it’s low-hanging fruit to jump on, Oh, this is just a money grab . This is to make it better for the fans. It is a guarantee on who will be at events and leaning more on the more there.

“It is more opportunity for the top players to battle it out late on Sundays,” Homa said. “Which, you look back at times of Phil and Tiger, the two best players growing up for me watching, and they had like maybe two real battles. So we’re going to have more of that.”

Homa says he recognizes that golf’s much-bandied “meritocracy” will suffer under these changes. The best players will inherently have an advantage in earning the largest sums. But Homa wonders if the new schedule could have the unintended benefit of helping those in the PGA Tour’s middle class.

“The non-designated events are the same purses with, on paper, weaker fields,” Homa says. “There’s a lot of room for growth throughout that. You can play your way into the designated events.”

On the topic of limited fields, Homa was particularly protective of those on the outside looking in. In restricting access to those high-money weeks to “70-to-80 players,” per Monahan’s memo, Homa argued the Tour’s intent wasn’t to keep players out, but rather to provide a lifeline to those in non-designated events.

“The part that’s frustrating and maybe just simply misunderstood is that if we made these fields very large in these designated events, it would ruin non-designated events,” Homa said. “It would ruin them. No one would play in half of them because it would no longer fit your schedule.”

And here is part 2, including why he feels large-field designated events would "ruin" non-designated events pic.twitter.com/MMfKx6x7jH — James Colgan (@jamescolgan26) March 1, 2023

Homa should know this. As a member of the Player Advisory Council responsible for drafting the new schedule, he was in the room when these changes were proposed.

“I think that the Tour’s done a great job of looking into it,” Homa said. “Seeing that [70-80] would be a great number to cut to make sure that we still have competitive events that are non-designated.”

It’s a strange logic — exclusivity for the sake of inclusivity — but it’s one that might make real sense as it involves the PGA Tour. Last week’s Honda Classic drew a historically dreadful field, the result of a series of large-field designated events nearby on the calendar. Under the new format, the Honda could represent the event most aided by the changes.

With so few slots in the big events, notable players will find themselves in non-designated events, raising the status and intrigue behind those tournaments. It’s not perfect, Homa admits, but it’s a way to keep golf’s meritocracy alive at all.

“Maybe not the top-50 big names, but big names [will be] keeping the sponsors and the fans happy with the parity,” Homa said. “Guys everybody has watched play golf, win golf tournaments and excel at this game still in those [non-designated] fields. So I think that that is an important distinction to make before jumping on something negative.”

As Homa finished that final sentence, a hush fell over the press room. A PGA Tour moderator stepped into the silence.

“Do you need a break?”

Homa flashed a smile.

“No, I’m good,” he said. “Sorry guys.”

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What it's like to stay in the augusta crow's nest, according to the masters low amateur, 2024 zurich classic purse: payout info, winner’s share , bernhard langer set for pga tour champions return after achilles tear, 2024 zurich classic sunday tv coverage: how to watch round 4, james colgan.

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at [email protected].

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PGA Tour strikes $3 billion deal with Fenway-led investment group. Players to get equity ownership

FILE - PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during a news conference before the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, June 22, 2022, in Cromwell, Conn. The PGA Tour is getting a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group in a deal that would give players access to more than $1.5 billion as equity owners in the new PGA Tour Enterprises. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the announcement expected to be released Wednesday morning, Jan. 31, 2024. Monahan was holding a conference call with players about the deal that was finalized Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Jordan Spieth answers questions during a news conference at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

FILE - Boston Red Sox owner John Henry attends an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, in Boston. The PGA Tour is getting a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group in a deal that would give players access to more than $1.5 billion as equity owners in the new PGA Tour Enterprises. SSG is led by Fenway Sports Group. Our enthusiasm for this new venture stems from a very deep respect for this remarkable game and a firm belief in the expansive growth potential of the PGA Tour,” said Henry, the principal owner of Fenway Sports and manager of SSG. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank discusses the decision to dismiss head coach Arthur Smith during a news conference Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

FILE - The PGA Tour logo is shown during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. The PGA Tour is getting a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group in a deal that would give players access to more than $1.5 billion as equity owners in the new PGA Tour Enterprises. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the announcement expected to be released Wednesday morning, Jan. 31, 2024. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was holding a conference call with players about the deal that was finalized Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

Patrick Cantlay holds up the ball after finishing the first round on the North Course at Torrey Pines, at the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — The PGA Tour is getting a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group in a deal announced Wednesday that would give players access to more than $1.5 billion as equity owners in the new PGA Tour Enterprises.

The launch of PGA Tour Enterprises , with SSG as a minority partner, comes eight months after the PGA Tour signed a framework agreement with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf for a commercial venture, which ultimately led to private equity groups wanting to join.

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is not part of the deal yet, though the tour said negotiations with the PIF are ongoing for it to also become a minority investor.

“The coolest thing about it is the players are now owners,” said Jordan Spieth, one of six players on the PGA Tour board. “So not only do they benefit with the tour, they now are equity owners so they want to push it themselves, they want to make the product better themselves. Not that they didn’t before, but you directly benefit from owning a piece.”

How much of a piece remained unclear. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan held a conference call with players from all its main tours (including the PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour) on Wednesday morning that included Tiger Woods, whom the tour appointed to the board last summer at the players’ request.

“As the tour grows, we grow,” Woods told players, according to Golf.com, which obtained access to the call. “So the more we invest into the tour, the more we get the benefits of it, which has never been — it’s never happened in sports history. So we’re the first. Exciting for me to be able to be part of that.”

Also uncertain is where this leaves the PIF.

The tour said its deal with SSG allows for a co-investment from the PIF, subject to regulatory approval. A Senate subcommittee wrote a letter earlier this week to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF, that it is proceeding with its inquiry into framework agreement with the PGA Tour that was announced June 6.

“At this point if the PIF were interested in coming in on terms that our members like and/or the economic terms are at or not beyond SSG’s and they feel it would be a good idea, I think that’s where the discussions will start,” Spieth said. “I understand it could take some time to even come to those kind of terms, and then beyond that the Department of Justice and a regulatory review would be intact.”

LIV Golf starts its third season this week in Mexico and is likely to be around through all of next year depending on the timing of any investment by the PIF in the PGA Tour. How the fractured landscape of golf gets repaired remains as cloudy as how specifically equity ownership is distributed.

The PGA Tour plans several player meetings over the next month to work through details.

“By making PGA Tour members owners of their league, we strengthen the collective investment of our players in the success of the PGA Tour,” Monahan, who will be CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises, said in the formal announcement.

He said a partnership with SSG — a group comprised of American owners and executives of pro sports franchises — will “enhance our organization’s ability to make the sport more rewarding for players, tournaments, fans and partners.”

The PGA Tour Enterprises board would be comprised of seven players, the PGA Tour commissioner, four members of SSG and an independent director who’s also on the tour board.

The unique equity program in golf would give some 200 players access $930,000 in initial grants. Starting next year, PGA Tour Enterprises would use $600,000 for recurring grants for future players.

While specific details of the equity ownership program were not announced, the initial grants would be based on career accomplishments, recent achievements and PGA Tour status. The grants would vest over time.

SSG is led by Fenway Sports Group and includes owners Marc Attanasio (Milwaukee Brewers), Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons), Steven Cohen (New York Mets), Wyc Grousbeck (Boston Celtics), Tom Werner and John Henry (Boston Red Sox), and Marc Lasry (Milwaukee Bucks). Others in the group include Alec Scheiner, former Cleveland Browns president and co-founder of Otro Capital.

“Our enthusiasm for this new venture stems from a very deep respect for this remarkable game and a firm belief in the expansive growth potential of the PGA Tour,” said Henry, the principal owner of Fenway Sports and manager of SSG.

SSG is investing an initial $1.5 billion into PGA Tour Enterprises and will concentrate on maximizing revenue for the benefit of the players and on finding opportunities to enhance golf across the world. Another $1.5 billion would go toward PGA Tour business.

The deal was unanimously approved by the PGA Tour board.

“It was incredibly important for us to create opportunities for the players of today and in the future to be more invested in their organization, both financially and strategically,” the player directors said in a joint statement. “This not only further strengthens the tour from a business perspective, but it also encourages the players to be fully invested in continuing to deliver — and further enhance — the best in golf to our fans.

“We are looking forward to this next chapter and an even brighter future.”

The tour said it was making progress in its negotiations with the Saudi national wealth fund on future investments and an ultimate agreement. Under the original framework agreement, Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor, was to be chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.

Now the commercial arm launches without any deal with the Saudis.

The European tour was part of the framework agreement on June 6, and it has a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour. The tour said only it is discussing how they can work together for a mutual benefit.

Key to the original deal with the Saudis was dismissing the lawsuits involving LIV Golf. Since the rival league was launched in June 2022, LIV has lured several prominent players and major champions such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau.

As the tour’s negotiations with the PIF neared its original Dec. 31 deadline, LIV signed Masters champion Jon Rahm in a deal reported to be in the neighborhood of $500 million. It also signed Tyrrell Hatton, currently No. 16 in the world.

Rory McIlroy, who gave up his seat on the tour board in November, said on Tuesday he didn’t think there should be any punishment for a LIV player eligible to return to the tour.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

PGA Tour hold players meeting, Jay Monahan plans press conference at Travelers

The PGA Tour is set to hold a meeting with the players at TPC River Highlands this week as it braces itself for further LIV Golf announcements.

The PGA Tour is set to hold a mandatory meeting with the players at the Travelers Championship today in Connecticut as further announcements on LIV Golf signings are expected in the coming days.

Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, the tour's most vocal advocates, are in the field this week at TPC River Highlands as well as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler.

On Wednesday, Jay Monahan is also set to hold a press conference in Cromwell at 1 pm local time. We anticipate the PGA Tour commissioner to update us on further actions he could take regarding player resignations and those who have chosen LIV Golf.

Since the first day of the inaugural LIV Golf event at Centurion Golf Club near London, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Pat Perez have joined the series commissioned by Greg Norman.

These three players are set to be suspended from the circuit, as will players who continue to move over. Abraham Ancer is strongly rumoured to have made the switch and more are expected in the coming days.

Related: USGA CEO responds to heavy criticism of US Open broadcast

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan defends his decision to suspend PGA Tour players who signed up to the LIV Series ⛳ pic.twitter.com/sxtQU2fXEM — Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 12, 2022

According to reports, a multiple major winner has succumbed to the millions laid on offer by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Collin Morikawa, Bubba Watson and Brooks Koepka are players who fit this profile, with the latter two being the most likely suitors.

Monahan has held an aggressive line from the start with the LIV Golf Invitational Series. He joined Jim Nantz in the commentary box at the RBC Canadian Open two weeks ago where he passionately defended the PGA Tour.

"I guess I would answer the question (of why players cannot do both) by asking a question, and that is, why do they need us so badly? Because those players have chosen to sign multi-year lucrative contracts to play in a series of exhibition matches against the same players over and over again," Monahan said.

"You look at that versus what we see here today, and that's why they need us so badly. You've got true, pure competition, the best players in the world here at the RBC Canadian Open, with millions of fans watching, and in this game it's true and pure competition that creates the profile and presence of the world's greatest players.

"Why is this group spending so much money, billions of dollars, recruiting players and chasing a concept with no possibility of a return? At the same time, there has been a lot of question and comments about 'growth of the game' and I ask, 'how is this good for the game we love?'"

We could also expect Monahan to pass comment on the DP World Tour. The two circuits have a strategic alliance but the silence from the old European Tour has been deafening.

Other matters such as future major championships and the Ryder Cup could also be addressed in what is set to be another turbulent week in the world of professional golf.

Next Page: Will Zalatoris hits out at "Instagram morons" after US Open heartbreak

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Rory McIlroy belts out karaoke to fans after milestone PGA Tour victory

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Rory McIlroy celebrated his 25th PGA Tour win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in style as he belted out a rendition of Don’t Stop Believin’ on stage in front of fans.

McIlroy, playing alongside long-time friend Shane Lowry in the team event, made two birdies in their final three holes to reach -25 to set up a playoff with Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer.

The Irish duo sealed victory on the first playoff hole as Ramey and Trainer made bogey on the par-5 18th, with the win the first of the season for both McIlroy and Lowry.

For the four-time major champion, the latest PGA Tour triumph is the 25th of his decorated career and sees him become the first to reach the milestone since Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson in 2005.

To kickstart celebrations, McIlroy joined the crowd and live band in a sing-along to Journey’s 1980s rock classic, intermittently chugging a beer as his playing partner Lowry watched on.

‘The reason that Shane and I both started to play golf is because we thought it was fun at some stage in our life,” McIlroy later reflected in his post-tournament press conference.

‘I think sort of reinjecting a little bit of that fun back into it in a week like this week, it can always help.

JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRL pic.twitter.com/NefSbCQjAk — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 29, 2024

‘To win any PGA Tour event is very cool, but even better to do it with one of your closest friends, we’ve known each other for a long, long time, probably like over 20 years.

‘To think about where we met and where we’ve come from, to be on this stage and do this together, really, really cool journey that we’ve been a part of, and yeah, just awesome to be able to do it alongside this guy.’

Lowry added: ‘It was great fun all week, everything about it was just brilliant. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, having this man by my side – you saw the drive he hit up the 18th, the 72nd hole – it’s pretty easy to play golf from there for me.

‘I made it look hard at times, but no, it was amazing. We went out there, we had loads of fun, and we won the tournament. You couldn’t ask for a better week.’

Both players will be back in action at next month’s Wells Fargo Championship as they gear up for the US PGA Championship, the second men’s major of the season.

For more stories like this,  check our sport page .

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How to watch the pga tour’s cj cup byron nelson.

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The PGA Tour heads to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

Here’s a look at the TV schedule for this week’s events around the golf world (all times EDT; stream links added when available).

• 5-8PM (GC): PGA Professional Championship, Round 2 (PGA of America)
• 5-8PM (GC): PGA Professional Championship, Round 3 (PGA of America)
• 4-7PM (GC): PGA Professional Championship, final round (PGA of America)
• 1-6AM (GC): Volvo China Open, Round 1 (DP World Tour)
• 4-7PM (GC/Peacock): CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Round 1 (PGA Tour)
• 1-6AM (GC): Volvo China Open, Round 2 (DP World Tour)
• 12:30-3:30PM (GC/Peacock): Insperity Invitational, Round 1 (PGA Tour Champions)
• 4-7PM (GC/Peacock): CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Round 2 (PGA Tour)
• 1:30-6AM (GC): Volvo China Open, Round 3 (DP World Tour)
• 1-3PM (GC/Peacock): CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Round 3 (PGA Tour)
• 3-6PM (CBS): CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Round 3 (PGA Tour)
• 3-6PM (GC/Peacock): Insperity Invitational, Round 2 (PGA Tour Champions)
• Midnight-5AM (GC): Volvo China Open, final round (DP World Tour)
• 1-3PM (GC/Peacock): CJ Cup Byron Nelson, final round (PGA Tour)
• 3-6PM (CBS): CJ Cup Byron Nelson, final round (PGA Tour)
• 3-6PM (GC/Peacock): Insperity Invitational, final round (PGA Tour Champions)

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2024 Zurich Classic live stream, TV schedule, where to watch online, channel, tee times, radio, golf coverage

Grab a partner as this team-style event on the pga tour wraps up sunday.

For the seventh straight year, golfers are in the Bayou taking part in the PGA Tour's annual team-style event. The 2024 Zurich Classic welcomed 80 teams of two as partners hoping to grab a trophy by week's end at TPC Louisiana.

Headlining the action are the two players who seemingly do everything together: Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. The good friends were victorious in their first go around in 2022 but failed to defend their title a season ago. They started well this go-around but will need to make some major gains on Sunday if they hope to win two of three titles in New Orleans.

A new pairing making its debut features world No. 2 Rory McIlroy -- in his first tournament appearance -- playing alongside Shane Lowry. The duo, which has shared Ryder Cup success, is together near the top of the Zurich Classic leaderboard sitting just two strokes back entering the final 18 holes Sunday.

Follow Zurich Classic playoff coverage now that Round 4 has concluded.

Will Zalatoris and Sahith Theegala also entered as a strong duo on paper, as was the case with Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama. Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor hoped to do one better than their runner-up performance in 2023 with Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith also starring as an all-Canadian team. Brothers Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick team up for the second straight year with Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard, plus Parker and Pierceson Coody, also making this week a family affair.

All times Eastern; streaming start times approximated

Round 4 - Sunday

Round starts:  10:30 a.m.

PGA Tour Live:  10:30 a.m. -  6 p.m. --  PGA Tour Live

Early TV coverage:  12:45 - 2:45 p.m. on Golf Channel,  fubo  (Try for free) Live streaming:  12:45 - 2:45 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage:  3-6 p.m. on CBS Live simulcast:  3-6 p.m. on  CBSSports.com  and the  CBS Sports App

Radio:  1-6 p.m. --  PGA Tour Radio  

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Zurich Classic of New Orleans

TPC Louisiana

Avondale, Louisiana • USA

Apr 25 - 28, 2024